CLEVELAND, Ohio - In the privacy of the area behind the main stage at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards banquet Thursday, Kyrie Irving and Byron Scott shared a special moment. Both had just learned that Irving was named a reserve on the Eastern Conference All-Star squad, and they were smiling and laughing.

Scott placed his hand on Irving's shoulder, a parental gesture appearing to be headed toward prayer as he congratulated his point guard.

Both launched into guffaws. They were in good spirits after hearing that Irving would represent the Cavaliers in Houston on Feb. 17.

"This is one of the best days of my life," Irving said moments after also picking up the GCSA trophy for Professional Athlete of the Year in Cleveland.

"It's a big deal for me and a big deal for our organization for Cleveland to be recognized like this and for me to represent Cleveland. It means a lot."

Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Tipoff: 7 tonight, The Q.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Ohio; WTAM AM/1100.

Notable: The Cavs' C.J. Miles (illness) is a game-time decision. . . . The Bucks' Doron Lamb (left ankle sprain) is questionable and Marquis Daniels (illness) is probable. . . . The Bucks' Ersan Ilyasova had a season-high 27 points in each of the past two games, also grabbing 14 and 16 rebounds. . . . Milwaukee leads the NBA in blocks per game with 7.55.

-- Jodie Valade

Irving was selected by NBA coaches as a reserve despite the Cavaliers' 11-32 record. He leads NBA point guards in scoring at 23.7 points per game, sixth in the league overall. He is shooting .467, and is averaging 5.7 assists.

Irving is the sixth-youngest player (20 years, 331 days) selected to an All-Star team -- joining the elite company of Isiah Thomas, Kevin Garnett, Magic Johnson, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant as the only younger players -- according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Irving's teammates, at least, already placed the point guard in that elite category.

"He's a very special, talented player," Cleveland forward Luke Walton said. "The type of stuff he can do on the court, the only other player in the league that I've played with who can do that type of stuff is Kobe Bryant. They make the game look that easy."

Irving said he's already worried that his first shot in the All-Star Game will be an airball, but he also immediately expressed that his new goal is to be named a starter next year.

"That's my ultimate goal," he said. "I'm going to do everything possible to get there."

Irving said he shared an "emotional" moment with his father, Dred, on the phone after hearing of his All-Star selection. But also among the best congratulatory gestures Irving received was a text message from Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

"That was the first time, ever," Irving said. "I don't think Coach K has ever sent one of his previous players a text. I think his assistant did it for him. My freshman year at Duke he told me never to text him because he doesn't know how to text. So, times are changing."

The new kids: The Cavaliers' newest additions won't play tonight, after all. Because the Cavaliers' trade with the Memphis Grizzlies wasn't officially signed off on by the league office until late Thursday afternoon, Marreese Speights and Wayne Ellington didn't practice with their new squad. Scott's "practice before playing" rule remains intact for the new kids, which means Speights and Ellington are not available to play until Tuesday's home contest against Golden State.

The third player involved in the trade, Josh Selby, was assigned to the NBA Development League's Canton Charge on Thursday.

Home record: One would think the Cavaliers would be happy that nine of their next 11 games are at home.

But since the Cavaliers are tied with Charlotte with the fewest home victories (five), there's no guarantee that the long stretch in Cleveland is good for the squad.

Cleveland is the only team in the NBA with more victories on the road (six) than at home. New Orleans and Milwaukee have the same number of victories on the road as at home.

But the Cavaliers don't know why.

"It doesn't make sense," Walton said. "Especially with a young team like we are. Playing at home in front of your own crowd, those are the close games you're supposed to win. In all the years that I've played basketball, it doesn't make sense to me. Hopefully we'll fix that this second half of the season."

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